Manager, Strategic Initiatives-OPEN

CareQuest Institute for Oral Health serves as the backbone support organization for the Oral Health Progress and Equity Network (OPEN). OPEN, an initiative of CareQuest Institute, is a diverse network of individuals and entities who are taking on America’s oral health challenges so that everyone has a chance to thrive. OPEN members use their unique experiences, knowledge, and skills to lead network activities every year, creating collective energy that is driving large-scale change. Through a strategic planning process, informed by OPEN members, oral health advocacy has become the organizing force behind OPEN’s work, resulting in an annual opportunity to engage with legislators and/or build their capacity in oral health policy advocacy.

The Manager, Strategic Initiatives – OPEN serves as a senior leader within the Philanthropy team, responsible for guiding the strategic direction, execution, and evaluation of OPEN. This role provides high-level leadership in project and program management, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and long-term strategy. The Manager leads cross-functional teams, drives annual planning and performance processes, and ensures the successful delivery of initiative outcomes. They bring a strategic mindset, strong leadership capabilities, and a commitment to operational excellence and equity-centered philanthropy.

PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program and Initiative Management

• Initiative Oversight: Lead the development, execution, and continuous improvement of annual initiative plans, including goal setting, resource planning, and performance metrics.
• Program Execution: Oversee a portfolio of OPEN activities, events, and initiatives, ensuring timely, high-quality, and cost-effective delivery.
• Event Strategy: Direct the planning and execution of in-person and virtual events, including budgeting, logistics, vendor management, and coordination with marketing and communications.

• Implementation Support: Provide hands-on support to internal teams and external partners to ensure effective implementation of programs and initiatives, including developing tools, resources, and guidance to facilitate execution.
• Risk & Performance Management: Anticipate and mitigate risks, resolve issues proactively, and ensure accountability through structured project plans, timelines, and budgets.

Events Management

• Strategic Event Planning: Lead the development of an annual events strategy aligned with OPEN’s goals, ensuring a balanced portfolio of convenings, webinars, and network-driven presentations (Takes) that drive engagement and impact.
• End-to-End Event Execution: Oversee the planning and execution of all OPEN events—virtual, hybrid, and in-person—including venue selection, contract negotiation, vendor coordination, and on-site logistics.
• Content and Experience Design: Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to design compelling event agendas, identify high-impact speakers, and ensure inclusive, engaging participant experiences.\
• Budget and Resource Management: Develop and manage event budgets, ensuring cost-effectiveness and alignment with organizational priorities.

Backbone Support

• Strategic Leadership: Partner with Philanthropy leadership to shape and implement the strategic vision for OPEN, ensuring alignment with CareQuest Institute’s mission and priorities.
• Team Management: Supervise and mentor project staff and cross-functional contributors, fostering a collaborative, high-performing team culture.
• Relationship Management: Provide facilitative support and coordination to OPEN Committees, as needed.

Functional Collaboration

• Operational Integration: Drive cross-functional integration of OPEN across internal teams, identifying and implementing process improvements and operational efficiencies.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Cultivate and manage relationships with OPEN members, partners, and stakeholders to foster engagement, collaboration, and shared learning.

Planning and Reporting

• Reporting & Evaluation: Lead quarterly and annual initiative reporting, impact evaluation, and knowledge management to inform strategic decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Event Measurement and Evaluation: Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) for events, gather participant feedback, and apply insights to improve future programming.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, public health, public administration, business, or a related field required; Master’s degree preferred.
• 7–10 years of progressive experience in program management, with at least 3 years in a leadership or managerial role.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, team leadership, and managing complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives.

Skills and Competencies

• Demonstrated experience in building and sustaining multi-stakeholder coalitions, engaging diverse communities, and coordinating networks to drive collective impact. 
• Proven ability to foster trust, align shared goals, and facilitate collaboration across sectors and geographies.
• Strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Proven leadership and team management capabilities.

• Demonstrated experience in systems change work, including designing and executing strategies that shift policies, practices, and power structures.
• Experience in advocacy and policy engagement, with an understanding of legislative processes and stakeholder dynamics.
• Advanced project management skills, including planning, budgeting, execution, and risk mitigation.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Experience working with philanthropic networks, coalitions, or collaborative initiatives.
• Proficiency in project management tools (e.g., Asana, Smartsheet, Microsoft Project) and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong facilitation and meeting management skills, both in-person and virtual.
• High level of professionalism, discretion, and emotional intelligence. 
• Experience in philanthropy, nonprofit, or mission-driven organizations strongly preferred.

Preferred Qualifications:

• PMP (Project Management Professional) or equivalent certification.
• Familiarity with equity-focused or community-centered approaches to philanthropy.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Must be able to communicate effectively.
• Manual dexterity and ability to sit for extended periods (e.g., computer use).
• Ability to travel and move about within and outside serviced facilities.
• Primarily works in a private or shared office environment.

The specific statements shown in each section of this description are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements and criteria necessary to successfully perform this position.

** In accordance with CareQuest Institute for Oral Health’s Compliance Plan, all employees must conduct CareQuest Institute for Oral Health business and activities in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, professional standards and ethical standards and report potential compliance or ethical issues to CareQuest Institute for Oral Health’s designated Compliance Officer. **

CareQuest Institute for Oral Health’s Affirmative Action Program affirms our commitment to make reasonable accommodation for known physical or mental limitation of otherwise-qualified individuals with disabilities or special disabled veterans, unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business and activities. Please see Human Resources for additional information regarding this program.